On January 17, 2026, Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor, making history as the first woman to hold the office and marking a significant milestone in the state’s political landscape. Her inauguration sets the stage for a tenure focused on affordability, unity, and pragmatic governance amid national political divisions.
The ceremony took place at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond under a cold drizzle, drawing a cross-section of the state’s political leadership. Spanberger, 46, took the oath of office alongside her daughters and husband, becoming the first female governor since Virginia became a commonwealth in 1776. She wore all white, a possible tribute to the women’s suffrage movement, and was referred to with traditional formality as ‘Madam Governor.’ The event was attended by all living former governors, including outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and L. Douglas Wilder, the nation’s first elected Black governor, who celebrated his 95th birthday on the same day.
In her inaugural address, Spanberger framed the moment as both historic and forward-looking, emphasizing unity and the common good. ‘The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me,’ she said, expressing gratitude to generations of women who fought for political rights. She urged Virginians not to fracture into factions, citing Patrick Henry’s warning that ‘United we stand, divided we fall,’ and highlighted Virginia’s democratic arc from the suffrage movement to the Civil Rights era.
Spanberger’s speech addressed concerns about ‘recklessness coming out of Washington,’ a thinly veiled reference to the Trump administration, and pledged to protect Virginia’s economy from federal disruptions. She rooted her priorities in personal experience as a former CIA officer and mother, focusing on lowering costs for families, strengthening public education, and ensuring economic stability. Her message was one of pragmatic leadership aimed at delivering tangible results for all Virginians.
Within hours of taking the oath, Spanberger signed a package of ten executive orders to define her administration’s priorities. The orders focus on affordability, with directives to reduce living expenses in housing, health care, energy, and education. Key actions include establishing task forces to review health financing and housing development regulations, rescinding Youngkin’s executive order on immigration enforcement to refocus law enforcement on core public safety, and launching initiatives to strengthen literacy and math instruction in schools.
Other Democrats were also sworn in during the ceremony, marking additional historic firsts. Ghazala Hashmi took the oath as lieutenant governor, becoming the first Muslim to win statewide office in the United States, while Jay Jones was sworn in as attorney general, making him Virginia’s first Black attorney general. Their swearing-ins, particularly in Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, underscored the state’s evolving political identity and commitment to diversity.
The inauguration has significant political implications, as Democrats now control all branches of Virginia’s state government. Spanberger’s agenda aligns with legislative priorities, including redrawing congressional district maps ahead of midterm elections. Prominent Democrats attended the event, such as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, signaling broad party support for her administration’s direction.
Looking ahead, Spanberger’s tenure will be tested by her ability to implement her affordability-focused policies and navigate the challenges posed by federal policy changes. She has pledged to work across partisan lines and emphasized the importance of acting together for Virginia’s future. As the first woman to lead the commonwealth, her governorship represents a new chapter in Virginia’s history, with implications for gender representation and governance in American politics.
